Automatic swimming pool cleaner systems with improved visual communication

ABSTRACT

A pool system includes a visual communication system for an automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC). The visual communication system includes a reflective surface for conveying visual information. The reflective surface is on at least one of the APC, a trolley for the APC, or a docking station for the APC. In some cases, the visual communication system includes an indicator, and the reflective surface conveys optical information from the indicator to a separate location.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/325,018, filed on Mar. 29, 2022, and entitled AUTOMATIC SWIMMING POOL CLEANER SYSTEMS WITH IMPROVED VISUAL COMMUNICATION, the content of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to systems and apparatuses for cleaning water-containing vessels such as swimming pools and spas and more particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, to automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) with visual information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numerous cleaning devices capable of autonomous movement within swimming pools and spas currently exist. The most common of these devices are APCs, which often are either hydraulic or robotic in type. Hydraulic cleaners vary water flow for movement, while robotic cleaners typically employ electric motors to cause motion. Hydraulic APCs, furthermore, subdivide into “pressure-side” and “suction-side” cleaners, with pressure-side cleaners being fluidly connected to outputs of pumps of pool water circulation systems and suction-side cleaners being fluidly connected to inputs of such pumps.

Some APCs may have visual information or components that are not easily seen and/or may require a user to move or position the APC in a certain way such that the visual information or components are visible. For example, a user standing above an APC may not see certain visual information, and the user may have to bend down and/or flip over the APC to see such information. As a further example, a trolley (e.g., with motive elements such as wheels, rollers, etc.) may be designed to hold an APC in such a way that it may obscure various indicators or locations on the APC from the view of a user. The trolley may also store the APC at a position low to the ground, possibly making it difficult to view certain locations and/or indicators.

SUMMARY

Embodiments covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various embodiments and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings, and each claim.

According to certain embodiments, an APC with a reflective surface may reflect visual information from a first location to a second location.

According to some embodiments, a docking station for an APC includes a reflective surface for reflecting visual information about the APC.

According to various embodiments, a trolley for an APC includes a reflective surface for reflecting visual information about the APC.

According to certain embodiments, a method of obtaining information about an APC includes positioning the APC on a docking station and using a reflective surface to obtain visual information about the APC.

A visual communication system for an APC may include an indicator and at least one reflective surface that conveys optical information from the indicator to a separate location.

According to some embodiments, an APC or a docking station for an APC includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is a reflective surface configured to reflect visual information from a first location to a second location, and the second surface includes an optical characteristic different from the first surface.

An APC or a docking station for an APC may include a reflective surface that aligns with a status indicator such that the reflective surface reflects visual information of the status indicator.

An APC or a docking station for an APC may include a reflective surface and a visual indicator, and the reflective surface is positioned on the APC or docking station to allow reading of the visual indicator.

According to various embodiments, a pool system includes a visual communication system with a reflective surface for reflecting visual information, and the reflective surface is on at least one of an automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC), a trolley for the APC, or a docking station for the APC.

According to certain embodiments, a pool system includes a visual communication system for an APC, and the visual communication system includes an indicator and at least one reflective surface for conveying optical information from the indicator to a separate location.

Various implementations described herein can include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which cannot necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The specification makes reference to the following appended figures, in which use of like reference numerals in different figures is intended to illustrate like or analogous components.

FIG. 1 illustrates a charging system with and APC and a charging station according to embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are charging systems and devices for APCs for improving access to visual information on an APC. Such systems and devices may include a reflective surface provided on the APC and/or a component associated with the APC such as a charging station, trolley, garage, etc. The reflective surface may be a mirror or other suitable surface that conveys optical information from one location to another separate location. Advantageously, the reflective surface may allow for a user to obtain information about the APC without accessing an application on a user device and/or without physically moving the APC. Various other benefits and advantages may be realized with the systems and methods described herein, and the aforementioned benefits and advantages should not be considered limiting.

FIG. 1 illustrates a charging system 11 with an APC 10 and a docking station 20. The APC 10 generally includes a body 12, one or more motive elements 14, and one or more cleaning devices (including but not limited to a scrubber brush). A motor, pump, filter, and various other features may be provided on or within the APC 10 as desired. Other non-limiting examples of APCs 10 may include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,316,534, 9,488,154, 8,578,538, and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0303810, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , optionally, the APC 10 includes one or more visual indicators 22 that convey various information about the APC 10. Such information may include, but is not limited to, a battery level, a charging status, an operation status, debris level in a filter, refuse canister capacity, an error message, a communication status, combinations thereof, and/or other information as desired.

The docking station 20 optionally may include one or more electrical contacts (not shown) for selectively charging or re-charging a battery of the APC 10 as desired. In such embodiments the docking station 20 may be a charging station. However, in other embodiments, the docking station 20 need not charge the APC 10 and may just support the APC 10 while not in use. In other embodiments, a trolley, garage, and/or other device for selectively moving, storing, and/or charging the APC 10 may be provided as desired.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , a reflective surface 24 is included for conveying information from one location to another. In the embodiment illustrated, the reflective surface 24 is provided on the docking station 20 to convey the optical information from the visual indicator 22 (i.e., the reflection 26 in FIG. 1 ) to another location (represented by arrow 28). However, in other embodiments, the reflective surface 24 may be provided on the APC 10, in the APC 10, at other locations relative to the APC 10, in the docking station 20, on the docking station 20, on a trolley, in a trolley, on a garage, in a garage, combinations thereof, and/or as otherwise desired.

In certain embodiments, the reflective surface 24 is provided at locations for conveying visual information from a location that would otherwise be difficult for a user to see. In such embodiments, the reflective surface 24 may be at least partially covered by the APC 10 when the APC 10 is on the docking station. As non-limiting examples, the reflective surface 24 may be provided at other locations on the docking station 20 to reflect visual information about dirt or cleanliness of the APC 10 (e.g., such as but not limited to an underside of the APC 10) and/or may be provided on a portion of the APC 10 to obtain visual information about another portion of the APC 10 and/or to obtain visual information about the docking station 20 or trolley. In such embodiments, the reflective surface 24 need not be aligned with a particular visual indicator, although it may in other embodiments. Moreover, in certain embodiments, a plurality of reflective surfaces 24 may be utilized as desired.

Advantageously, the reflective surface 24 may provide a reflected image or reflected visual information at an angle to more easily convey optical information to a separate location. In such embodiments, the reflective surface 24 may be arranged at an angle relative to a horizontal surface, such as an oblique angle; however, in other embodiments, the reflective surface 24 may be provided at other angles relative to a horizontal surface as desired. In certain embodiments, the reflective surface 24 is configured to align with a status indicator on the APC 10 and/or the docking station 20. Status indicators may be various indicators providing information about various aspects of the APC 10 and/or the docking station 20 and may include, but are not limited to, a power indicator, a battery indicator, an operational indicator, a debris level indicator, combinations thereof, and/or other types of status indicators as desired. As a non-limiting example, the visual indicator 22 in FIG. 1 is a power status indicator, and the visual indicator 22 is proximate (but not necessarily touching) the reflective surface 24 such that the reflective surface 24 reflects visual information of the visual indicator 22. Said differently, the reflective surface 24 is positioned to allow reading of the visual indicator 22. In certain aspect, the visual information from the reflective surface 24 may be provided to a remote device. Optionally, the visual information may be utilized to generate an output response, such as but not limited to, generating an alert for a user (e.g., based on a battery level being low, a debris level indicating clogging of the filter, an error message, etc.) and/or causing operation of the APC 10 and/or other equipment (e.g., causing the APC 10 to initiate charging based on a low power level).

The reflective surface 24 may be constructed from various suitable materials as desired. Optionally, the reflective surface 24 may include a scratch-resistant material and/or a fog-resistant material. As an example, the reflective surface 24 may be treated with chemical compounds to mitigate scratching or fog buildup on the mirror. The reflective surface 24 may have a variety of geometries that may include, but are not limited to, flat, concave, and convex shapes, combinations thereof, and/or other shapes or profiles as desired. Optionally, the reflective surface 24 may be backlit or otherwise illuminated to facilitate a user's view of the indicator, refuse canister, or any other location of the APC, docking station, trolley, etc. as desired.

In some embodiments, at least one optical characteristic of the reflective surface 24 is different from an adjacent portion of the APC 10 and/or the docking station 20. In such embodiments, the APC 10 and/or the docking station 20 may include at least two different types of surfaces—one that is the reflective surface 24, and one different from the reflective surface 24. In such embodiments, the different optical or visual characteristic of the reflective surface 24 relative to an adjacent surface may facilitate the reflection of the information to a user and/or for the user to identify information. As a non-limiting example, in FIG. 1 , an optical or visual characteristic of the reflective surface 24 on the docking station is different from that of a surface of the docking station 20 adjacent to the reflective surface 24.

Exemplary concepts or combinations of features of the invention may include:

-   -   A. An APC with a reflective surface configured to reflect visual         information from a first location to a second location.     -   B. A docking station for an APC, the docking station comprising         a reflective surface configured to reflect visual information         about the APC.     -   C. The docking station of any preceding or subsequent statement         or combination of statements, wherein the reflective surface         reflects visual information at an angle.     -   D. A trolley for an APC, the trolley comprising a reflective         surface configured to reflect visual information about the APC.     -   E. A method of obtaining information about an APC comprising         positioning the APC on a docking station and using a reflective         surface to obtain visual information about the APC.     -   F. A visual communication system for an APC, the visual         communication system comprising an indicator and at least one         reflective surface configured to convey optical information from         the indicator to a separate location.     -   G. An APC or a docking station for an APC having a first surface         and a second surface, wherein the first surface is a reflective         surface configured to reflect visual information from a first         location to a second location, wherein the second surface         comprises an optical characteristic different from the first         surface.     -   H. An APC or a docking station for an APC having a reflective         surface configured to align with a status indicator such that         the reflective surface reflects visual information of the status         indicator.     -   I. An APC or a docking station for an APC having a reflective         surface and a visual indicator, wherein the reflective surface         is positioned on the APC or docking station to allow reading of         the visual indicator.     -   J. A pool system comprising a visual communication system         comprising a reflective surface configured to reflect visual         information, wherein the reflective surface is on at least one         of an automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC), a trolley for the         APC, or a docking station for the APC.     -   K. The pool system of any preceding or subsequent statement or         combination of statements, wherein the reflective surface is on         the APC, and wherein the reflective surface is configured to         reflect visual information from a first location to a second         location.     -   L. The pool system of any preceding or subsequent statement or         combination of statements, wherein the reflective surface is on         the trolley, and wherein the reflective surface is configured to         reflect visual information about the APC.     -   M. The pool system of any preceding or subsequent statement or         combination of statements, wherein the reflective surface is on         the docking station, and wherein the reflective surface is         configured to reflect visual information about the APC.     -   N. The pool system of any preceding or subsequent statement or         combination of statements, wherein the reflective surface is at         an oblique angle relative on the docking station.     -   O. The pool system of any preceding or subsequent statement or         combination of statements, wherein the reflective surface         comprises at least one of a scratch-resistant material or a         fog-resistant material.     -   P. The pool system of any preceding or subsequent statement or         combination of statements, wherein the reflective surface has a         non-planar profile.     -   Q. The pool system of any preceding or subsequent statement or         combination of statements, wherein the reflective surface is         backlit.     -   R. A method of obtaining information about an APC comprising         positioning the APC on a docking station and using a reflective         surface to obtain visual information about the APC.     -   S. The method of any preceding or subsequent statement or         combination of statements, wherein positioning the APC comprises         aligning a visual indicator with the reflective surface.     -   T. The method of any preceding or subsequent statement or         combination of statements, wherein positioning the APC comprises         positioning the APC such that the APC at least partially covers         the reflective surface.     -   U. A pool system comprising a visual communication system for an         APC, the visual communication system comprising an indicator and         at least one reflective surface configured to convey optical         information from the indicator to a separate location.     -   V. The pool system of any preceding or subsequent statement or         combination of statements further comprising the APC, wherein         the APC comprises a first surface and a second surface, wherein         the first surface is the at least one reflective surface         configured to reflect visual information from a first location         to a second location, wherein the second surface comprises an         optical characteristic different from the first surface.     -   W. The pool system of any preceding or subsequent statement or         combination of statements further comprising a docking station         for the APC, wherein the docking station comprises a first         surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is the         at least one reflective surface configured to reflect visual         information from a first location to a second location, wherein         the second surface comprises an optical characteristic different         from the first surface.     -   X. The pool system of any preceding or subsequent statement or         combination of statements, wherein the indicator is on the APC         and wherein the reflective surface is on a docking station for         the APC.     -   Y. The pool system of any preceding or subsequent statement or         combination of statements, wherein the optical information         comprises information about at least one of a battery level, a         charging status, an operation status, debris level in a filter,         refuse canister capacity, an error message, or a communication         status.

These examples are not intended to be mutually exclusive, exhaustive, or restrictive in any way, and the invention is not limited to these example embodiments but rather encompasses all possible modifications and variations within the scope of any claims ultimately drafted and issued in connection with the invention (and their equivalents). For avoidance of doubt, any combination of features not physically impossible or expressly identified as non-combinable herein may be within the scope of the invention. Further, although applicant has described devices and techniques for use principally with APCs, persons skilled in the relevant field will recognize that the present invention conceivably could be employed in connection with other objects and in other manners. Finally, references to “pools” and “swimming pools” herein may also refer to spas or other water containing vessels used for recreation, training, or therapy and for which cleaning of debris is needed or desired. 

That which is claimed:
 1. A pool system comprising a visual communication system comprising a reflective surface configured to reflect visual information, wherein the reflective surface is on at least one of an automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC), a trolley for the APC, or a docking station for the APC.
 2. The pool system of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface is on the APC, and wherein the reflective surface is configured to reflect visual information from a first location to a second location.
 3. The pool system of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface is on the trolley, and wherein the reflective surface is configured to reflect visual information about the APC.
 4. The pool system of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface is on the docking station, and wherein the reflective surface is configured to reflect visual information about the APC.
 5. The pool system of claim 4, wherein the reflective surface is at an oblique angle relative on the docking station.
 6. The pool system of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface comprises at least one of a scratch-resistant material or a fog-resistant material.
 7. The pool system of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface has a non-planar profile.
 8. The pool system of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface is backlit.
 9. A method of obtaining information about an APC comprising positioning the APC on a docking station and using a reflective surface to obtain visual information about the APC.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein positioning the APC comprises aligning a visual indicator with the reflective surface.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein positioning the APC comprises positioning the APC such that the APC at least partially covers the reflective surface.
 12. A pool system comprising a visual communication system for an APC, the visual communication system comprising an indicator and at least one reflective surface configured to convey optical information from the indicator to a separate location.
 13. The pool system of claim 12 further comprising the APC, wherein the APC comprises a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is the at least one reflective surface configured to reflect visual information from a first location to a second location, wherein the second surface comprises an optical characteristic different from the first surface.
 14. The pool system of claim 12 further comprising a docking station for the APC, wherein the docking station comprises a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is the at least one reflective surface configured to reflect visual information from a first location to a second location, wherein the second surface comprises an optical characteristic different from the first surface.
 15. The pool system of claim 12, wherein the indicator is on the APC and wherein the reflective surface is on a docking station for the APC.
 16. The pool system of claim 15, wherein the reflective surface is at an oblique angle.
 17. The pool system of claim 12, wherein the optical information comprises information about at least one of a battery level, a charging status, an operation status, debris level in a filter, refuse canister capacity, an error message, or a communication status.
 18. The pool system of claim 12, wherein the reflective surface comprises at least one of a scratch-resistant material or a fog-resistant material.
 19. The pool system of claim 12, wherein the reflective surface has a non-planar profile.
 20. The pool system of claim 12, wherein the reflective surface is backlit. 